Solana Beach makes way for new council

SOLANA BEACH  After attending roughly 983 city council meetings over the last 20 years, departing Solana Beach Mayor Joe Kellejian sat on the dais with his colleagues for the final time Wednesday night.

Also stepping down was Deputy Mayor and county Supervisor-elect Dave Roberts, who served on the council for eight years and attended about 380 meetings.

The men were lauded by nearly 30 residents, community and business members, and family members before the new council was officially installed.

"You are always respectful to all the citizens, you always greet people with a smile, you always greet people with a handshake, you're always willing to give people their time to speak their mind...I hope that I can follow your leadership in that way," Councilman-elect David Zito said of the mayor.

Kellejian's brother-in-law, Dick Semerdjian, spoke on behalf of the family, saying, "You have been a tremendous inspiration for all of us because we have seen the hard work from the inside. It never ceases to amaze us when we go out in public how many people not only love you but respect you."

Carolyn Cohen, president of the Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce, praised Roberts for his tireless work in the community.

"You've always led by example and always gotten people to work together...so that our community could thrive," she said.

City Manager David Ott presented both men with parting gifts -- including an engraved pocket watch for Kellejian and artwork and an engraved pen holder for Roberts -- and rattled off a list of their accomplishments. Roberts' highlights included helping to establish the Del Sol Lions Club, his contribution to the plastic bag ban and traffic calming projects, and support for the North Coast Repertory Theater. Noted projects for Kellejian included helping to obtain the grade separation on Lomas Santa Fe Drive to lower the train tracks, beach and sand replenishment, and banning smoking in public places.

After a break in the meeting, three council members were installed -- incumbent Lesa Heebner, and newcomers Zito, a software architect and member of the View Assessment Commission, and Peter Zahn, attorney and business owner, chairman of the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce, and former vice president of the Solana Beach Chamber.

Councilman Mike Nichols, who has served on the council since 2006, was then unanimously appointed mayor and councilman Tom Campbell, on the council since 1994, was appointed deputy mayor.

Kellijian announced in August that he would not be seeking re-election. Roberts begins his new position in January.

This year's election was the first for the city in four years. There were no challengers in 2008 or 2010.